Mitrice Richardson's Father Asks Supervisors For Help

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Mitrice Richardson's father wants the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to independently investigate his daughter's disappearance 11 months ago.

The county's Office of Independent Review concluded in a report released in July that deputies at the Malibu/Lost Hills Station acted "properly and legally" in releasing the 24-year-old woman Sept. 17, 2009.

Michael Richardson, however, remains unsatisfied by that conclusion.

"For 19 years, I've paid into the system, and I want the system's help," Richardson said.

Richardson described his daughter, a former beauty pageant contestant, as beautiful, but now just skeletal remains. Mitrice's remains were found Aug. 9 near an abandoned marijuana patch and positively identified three days later as the Cal State Fullerton graduate.

For months, searches in Malibu Canyon failed to turn up any trace of the woman, though at least one possible sighting was reported the same morning she was released. Her remains were finally found by park rangers about two miles from the sheriff's station at 27050 Agoura Road. They were searching for pot.

At the time of the discovery, Sheriff Lee Baca said there was no indication that Mitrice had met with foul play. Her cause of death is still "undetermined," according to coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

But county investigators have cleared deputies of fault.

The OIR report had found that station personnel offered Mitrice the choice to remain at the station jail until daylight or a ride arrived, but she chose to leave.

Richardson still wants the board for their help.

"I know you can question (the appropriate authorities)," Richardson said.

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